Job Title: Director, Sub-Regional
Office, Southern Africa, D1
Job Code Title: Principal
Coordination Officer
Department/Office: United Nations
Economic Commission for Africa
Duty Station: LUSAKA_ISC
Posting Period: 23 November 2020
- 20 January 2021
Job Opening Number: 20-Programme
Management-ECA-144308-R-Lusaka (G)
Staffing Exercise: N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism,
Respect for Diversity
Org. Setting and Reporting
ECA's mission, objective and strategic directions.
ECA's mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed
Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.
The mission will be guided by ECA's five new strategic directions which are
advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its
unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent's
problems and take local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and
structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job
creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for
infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming
Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a
focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus;
advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional
responses as a contribution to global governance issues.
The mandate of the Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA) is to
assist member States and regional economic communities in the subregion to
promote and develop inclusive industrialization policies, national and regional
plans and appropriate institutional frameworks in achieving economic
development; Collaborate with regional economic communities in the subregion,
namely, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market
for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in promoting regional development
agenda and priorities; Convene expert group meetings and policy dialogues and
providing technical support and advisory services to member State and key
stakeholders aimed at enhancing their capacity to design and implement key
priority agreed initiatives relevant to the economic transformation of the subregion.
The Sub-Regional office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA) is located in Lusaka
(Zambia). It is headed by a Director who reports to the Deputy Executive
Secretary (Programme). Its core objective is to contribute to achieving
structural transformation through inclusive industrialization aimed at
sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty and inequality in the
subregion.
The Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa serves the following eleven
countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia,
South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the
Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme) and within delegated authority, the
Director of the Sub-Regional Office will perform the following functions:
• Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the SRO under his/her
responsibility, including management of the multiyear programme with relevant
Regional Economic Commissions (RECs). Co-ordinates the work carried out by
different work units under the SRO; provides programmatic/substantive reviews
of the drafts prepared by others.
•Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to
intergovernmental bodies such as the inter-governmental committee of experts
and the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic
Development and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
•Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on
programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented
in biannual and/or annual reports.
•Ensures that the research outputs produced by the SRO maintain high-quality
standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data.
Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision
meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the
relevant mandates and are disseminated to policy makers in the sub-region.
•Prepares the work programme of the SRO, determining priorities, and allocating
resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
•Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the
functioning of the SRO, including mobilization of resources preparation of
budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff
performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of
candidates and preparation of inputs for results based budgeting.
•Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance.
•Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
•Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the SRO and across
organizational boundaries.
•Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive
issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings
or seminars.
•Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides
programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds
programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of
other institutions.
•Represents the SRO at international, regional or national meetings.
•Perform other special assignments as directed by the Executive Secretary.
Competencies
Professionalism: Expert knowledge in the promotion of
economic and social development, including regional integration and trade;
ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and
edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and
guidelines in work situations. Demonstrated ability to provide successful
delivery of economic, sectoral and social development programmes and proven
networking skills in establishing collaborative working relationships with
governments and relevant organizations. Shows pride in work and in
achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject
matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing
deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than
personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or
challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed
strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities
as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing
work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and
adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be
"clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view;
establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their
trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate
solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients'
environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of
progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or
services to client.
Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers
others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies
to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad
range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves
conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and
improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take
unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for
incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women
and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and
commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability
and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and
reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of
time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills;
Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses
performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking
and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and
career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent)
in economics, development management or related area is required. Doctorate in
the specified fields is highly desirable. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s or
equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work
experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible
experience in research, design, development and implementation of economic and
social development programmes is required.
Experience in an international organization is required.
Managerial experience is required.
Experience of regional integration in the context of Africa is desirable.
Specialization in economic sectoral development areas, such as agriculture,
public administration, transport, trade and energy is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United
Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in either language is
required. Knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official
United Nations language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment
exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Staff members are subject to the authority of the
Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff
are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in
accordance with established rules and procedures.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance
in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this
position.
An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is
essential.
For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are
unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 July 2020, are
strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and
Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia,
China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial
Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's
Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia,
Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian
Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome
and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname,
Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu,
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the
United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is
the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and
integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United
Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law,
violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual
abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that
they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term
“sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of
vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including,
but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the
sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or
threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under
unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any
unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be
perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with
work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or
offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the
termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed
crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a
geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on
the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under
conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United
Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff
shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency,
competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations
staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and
assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in
accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally
recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new
functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the
Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the
online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants
may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on
“Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder
homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information
submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job
opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations
including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General
Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and
guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information
pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the
instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening.
No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to
applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration
for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information
provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m.
(New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE
RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING).
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK
ACCOUNTS.
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